Roadside St.5 The sun shines on the Mare Ligure to our right, the Apennino Montagna to our left sit quietly waiting; they’ll have their say, today. Ed Hood, along with the rest of the Giro field, returned to the Strade Bianche today. Let’s take a closer look.

We’re in good company, tucked into the rear of the HTC convoy; Cav’s five figures worth of McLaren is flapping about on the roof rack in front of us – I hope it stays up there.

But even that value is dwarfed by the super yacht which passes in the other direction en route the fitting out yard.

Hovering out on the Ligure is the Isola d’Elba – Napoleon’s home away from home for a spell.

It’s tappa 5 from the seaside town of Piombino to Orvieto in the hills of Umbria.

We stayed in Cecina last night and were treated to a beautiful sunset, a wonderful mural on the local church wall and great value grappa for our nightcap.

First on our ‘start agenda’ is to gather a few quotes and have a look at the equipment for this day which takes in the ‘sterrato’ – gravel roads.

The Gazzetta has Lampre’s Michele Scarponi down as favourite for this technical day which encompasses three ‘settori sterrati’ – sectors of dirt road totalling 19 kilometres; 23 from start to finish but there are short stretches of tar road in between.

Maglia rosa David Millar is running 25mm FMB tubulars and three wraps of tape – but the Scotsman’s bum sits on a minimal carbon railed saddle.

Over at Liquigas, we ask PR Paolo Barbiere if it’s a day to follow or attack ?

‘Somewhere in between! – it’s a day where to have to watch but exploit any chances that may arise.’